Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan has a current NAV of ₹115.3178 as of 03 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹917 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 7.96%, 16.45% and 12.53%, respectively, and the scheme is tagged High Risk. Our view is that it combines a fairly steady long-term record with a more uneven shorter-term patch, so it is better read as a tax-saving equity fund for investors who can stay patient through market swings.

Its benchmark-linked behaviour has been mixed, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers remain comfortably ahead of the benchmark on the same horizons. The portfolio is led by banks, with other positions spread across consumer, infrastructure, telecom and industrial names, so the fund is not a narrow one-theme portfolio.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Silky Jain and Yash Mehta.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Performance

The short-term pattern is mixed rather than smooth. The 1-month return was negative, but it still held up better than the benchmark over the same period, which suggests some resilience even when the broader market was weak. Over 3 months and 1 year, the fund turned in positive returns and stayed ahead of the benchmark, with the 1-year gap especially notable because the benchmark was negative while the fund remained positive.

The longer view is stronger. The 3-year return of 16.45% and the 5-year return of 12.53% both sit above the benchmark’s 5.74% and 6.27% on those horizons. That tells us the fund has compounded better than the benchmark over a fuller cycle, even though the path has not been linear. The 3-year pattern also looks stronger than the most recent 1-month move, so the latest softness does not change the broader medium-term picture.

For investors, that combination matters more than the daily noise. The fund has shown enough recovery over 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years to remain a credible long-horizon equity option, but the near-term swings also reinforce that it can move around in the short run. In our view, that is typical of an ELSS fund with equity exposure, and the numbers support a patient holding period rather than a short-term mindset.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.

The fund’s 1-year return trails the stronger peer figures in this set, while its 3-year return remains competitive and its 5-year return is respectable but not the highest among the listed peers. That split matters: the recent year looks softer than several peers, but the medium-term record is still solid enough to keep the longer-horizon case intact. The short-term comparison and the longer-term comparison therefore tell different stories, with the fund appearing steadier over time than in the most recent year.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 30.72% of the portfolio.

To see all holdings, visit the Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan page

The largest holding, ICICI Bank Limited, is 3.91%, so no single position dominates the portfolio on its own. The weight falls only gradually through the first few names, with the tenth holding still at 2.58%, which suggests that the fund spreads its active bets across several positions rather than leaning heavily on one stock.

At the same time, the top 10 holdings together make up 30.72% of the portfolio, and the disclosed holding count stands at 52. That mix points to a portfolio that may still be influenced by a handful of large positions, but it also has a longer tail of other holdings that could help balance single-stock impact. The visible allocation is meaningfully spread, not highly concentrated.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk exposure and can stay invested for several years. The 1-year return is positive but more subdued than some peers, while the 3-year and 5-year numbers show stronger compounding and a better match with the benchmark over a fuller cycle.

The main trade-off is clear: investors may accept short-term volatility in exchange for tax-saving equity exposure and the chance to participate in longer-term equity compounding. Its bank-heavy top holdings and broader spread across other sectors may appeal to investors who want an ELSS fund with diversified large-cap exposure rather than a narrow thematic tilt.

Tax and exit load

Exit load: No exit load after holding period.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹115.3178 as of 03 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?

The 1-year return is 7.96%, the 3-year return is 16.45%, and the 5-year return is 12.53%.

How does this fund compare with the benchmark?

It has outperformed the benchmark over 3 years and 5 years, and it also stayed ahead over 1 year and 3 months. The 1-month return was negative, but it was still better than the benchmark over the same period.

How does the fund compare with the listed peer funds?

Its 1-year return is lower than several peers in the set, while the 3-year and 5-year returns remain competitive. The shorter-term comparison looks softer than the longer-term record.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.

Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?

The fund is managed by Silky Jain and Yash Mehta. There is no exit load after the holding period.

Bottom line

Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan has a more modest recent year than several peers, but its 3-year and 5-year records are stronger and remain ahead of the benchmark. The High Risk tag fits the short-term volatility, yet the longer-term return pattern is more encouraging. The portfolio is led by banks and is spread across several other sectors, with the top 10 holdings accounting for 30.72% of the disclosed portfolio, so it is not overly dependent on one position.

Published on 4 September 2026 at 1:52 PM IST